OREANDA-NEWS  Cyprus had to change its attitude towards Russia and support anti-Russian sanctions in order not to be a stigma in Europe, but I would like to maintain friendly relations and find understanding from the Russian side, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades told reporters after visiting the Open University of Cyprus.

The day before, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference that Russians have always been close friends with Greeks and Cypriots, and Russia noted "the metamorphoses that have occurred with the leadership of both countries." According to Lavrov, from the positions taken by European countries, including Greece and Cyprus, he concludes: they were forced, or they themselves willingly agreed to obey the American dictate. The journalists asked Anastasiades to comment on the "metamorphosis in the position of Cyprus." "I would like to note that when Russia, an otherwise friendly country, forced us to follow the collective decisions of the EU, it could not expect that we could be the stigma of Europe, that is, those who disagree with measures that are decided together," Anastasiades said.

"Therefore, I want to preserve the friendly relations that we had with Russia, and gratitude, of course, for the long-standing position that Russia has taken and is taking on the Cyprus issue, and Russia's understanding that there are no elections when international law is violated," the President of Cyprus said.